And all Her Majesty's men

[Wolfs Ghost]

Saturday, May 2nd, 817 AS
Prisoner Exchange -- 2300 Hours Galactic Measure Time

Franklin James sighed as he undocked his ship from Leeds. "Prisoner is on board. We're waiting for the Kusari prison vessel to show up." He said lightly.

"It's already here, We're waiting for your ship and the hostage. Let us proceed, Mr. James take the lead."

"Copy, all ships. This is the Merlin, form on me. We're heading into hell." He sighed once more and engaged his cruise drive, reaching the Tradelane he didn't dock with it and kept going. The fighters caught up. Half way down the lane he cut his engines quickly, noticing a large group of Kusari ships on his scanners. "Right, this is it chaps." He said over secured communications.

"All ships, take a defensive position. We're making sure this goes smoothly without a hitch." Came the voice of a Kusarian commander on the prison ship.

"Captain. This is Franklin James, Captain of the Merlin. We'll be doing the exchange through Air Lock Two." He said pulling his ship up towards the Kusarian destroyer. an Air Lock bridge extended out from the Merlin and connected with the Kusarian ship's.

James watched as the doors opened his pistol in the holster at his side. The Kusari prisoner, John Miyagi, behind him, in handcuffs.

The doors opened. Two Samurai's walked in, followed by a third handcuffed man, who was dragged in, and thrown on the floor. Not wearing any bindings. "There's your pathetic Lieutenant." One of the Samurai's said.

James shook his head and pulled out the keys. "There will be none of that on my ship. I'm just a civilian. Mind you." he said as Miyagi stepped forwards towards the Samurai's. James took the keys and unlocked the cuffs on Miyagi. "There's your Commander." He said lightly. "Now let's hope this damned war will be over with so I can go back to my family..."

"Until your queen is dead..." The other Samurai said, turning around and escorting Miyagi back to the ship. Leaving James and the first Samurai.

"Tell me. Kusarian's don't normally torture these men and women. Why is he injuried?" James said looking at the man laying on the ground then back up at the Samurai.

"Rest assure, it wasn't done by the us." the Samurai bowed lightly. "Sayonara." He said before exiting.

The Airlock doors slid shut and James helped the man to his feet. "Austin, you alright?" James said, his voice unchanged.

Austin nodded, his voice horsed. "Never....again will I do something that stupid..."

James smiled and returned to the controls of his ship. "Right, prisoner exchange complete. I'm getting my ship out of this hellhole." he forced the rather large transport to turn about and enter the tradelane.

"It was part of your sisters doing. You know." James said quietly.
"My...sister is alive?"
James nodded. "You'll see her after the fight....However, you are going right to the medical bay. You look pretty torn up..." James said.

"Merlin, is Lieutenant Goodmen on board?"
"Indeed he is. Permission to moor."
"Granted, Medical teams are on standby."
"Ah alright. Good good. He looks pretty beat."
"Heh, well...what can you expect he's a hero. He should be lucky he lived."
"That is true..."

Austin sighed lightly and sat up against a wall. It wasn't luck...it never is. It can't be luck. He thought closing his eyes.

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